FC Minimum Weight w/ driver

[RussMcB]

When I first got my RF94 FC last month, I started looking over the rules. I'm probably mistaken, but I don't think the GCR actually states that the min weight is 1190 lb. --> with driver <--. Is it in a different section? I wonder why they didn't include it with the FC section about weights (B.4.m?)

Not a big deal, I guess. I'm just wondering why it isn't printed where I'd think it'd be.

[Keith Carter]

There's the general statement on GCR-88 17.9:

All cars shall meet or exceed the minimum weight specified with driver,
exactly as they come off the race circuit, at the conclusion of a race or
qualifying session.

[Dave Gomberg]

And the reason that it is in 17.9 is so that we don't have to put it in every class specification in the GCR.

Dave

[formulasuper]

And the reason that it is in 17.9 is so that we don't have to put it in every class specification in the GCR.

Dave

Ah, but, page FCS-75 of the 2006 General Competition Rules and Speccifications, 17.1.6. Formula Category, section G.1 - Formula S, paragraph L.1. - Weight (without driver) specifically states "The minimum weight of the vehicle as raced, without driver, shall be 750 lbs."

[Stan Clayton]

Scott,

The approved method of listing an exception to the rule is to specifiy the exception in the Specification Book (the FCS section of the GCR, in the case of FS). If you look on page 86 of the 2006 GCR, you will note that all formula cars (by implication) are required to run gasoline with a DC reading of zero. Yet if you read line G.1. of the F1000 rules, it states that F1000 cars may use ANY legal fuel, thereby "trumping" the general fuel rule on page 86. Therefore, F1000 cars may run unleaded street gas if they wish.

In the specific case of FC, since there is no exception in its specification pages, the general GCR definition of weight applies, and FCs are weighed with driver.

Stan

[formulasuper]

Scott,

The approved method of listing an exception to the rule is to specifiy the exception in the Specification Book (the FCS section of the GCR, in the case of FS). If you look on page 86 of the 2006 GCR, you will note that all formula cars (by implication) are required to run gasoline with a DC reading of zero. Yet if you read line G.1. of the F1000 rules, it states that F1000 cars may use ANY legal fuel, thereby "trumping" the general fuel rule on page 86. Therefore, F1000 cars may run unleaded street gas if they wish.

In the specific case of FC, since there is no exception in its specification pages, the general GCR definition of weight applies, and FCs are weighed with driver.

Stan

Thanks Stan, and yes, I am enjoying using $2.50/gal premium unleaded!

[R. Pare]

Stan; While your results maybe are the same, I'm not so sure about your reasoning in the case of F1000 fuel.

In F1000, G.1. specificly states that the fuel permitted is controlled by the allowances stated in GCR 17.4.1.

17.4.1 states in the chart at the top of page 86 that the allowed fuels for "all other classes", which now will include F1000 I would assume, must not read positive for either reagent, and zero for the dielectric. I don't see just how the wording of F1000 G.1. trumps the GCR section statements.

While it may be possible to interpret the phrase "Any fuel permitted in GCR 17.4.1" as meaning that ANY of the fuels listed, regardless of the class restrictions stated in the chart, is permitted, I doubt highly that the Tech Stewards and an Appeals Court will look at it that way!

To me, while that interpretation may indeed be possible, and possibly actually valid, I would not advise anyone else to "try their luck" by running anything other than what is stated as allowed in the chart until a ruling is given by the Appeals Court!

[Dave Gomberg]

Richard:

The intent and (I think) meaning of G.1 are quite clear. But to preclude interpretations along the lines you have suggested, I'll alter G.1 to read: Any fuel permitted for any class in GCR 17.4.1 may be used in F1000.

Dave

[RussMcB]

And the reason that it is in 17.9 is so that we don't have to put it in every class specification in the GCR.

That makes sense, but I got confused because:
1) In FC it didn't state "with driver"
2) In several other classes (FF, FV., F5, FM) it does state "with driver", so I started to wonder.
3) I did several searches looking for a blanket statement but didn't find it. I'm pretty sure it was because I was viewing the FCS, and it didn't occur to me that it might be elsewhere. I should've kept looking, I guess, but this forum is too easy to post a question in. :-).

[R. Pare]

Exellent!

As you can see, it is all too easy when writing something to miss a thought process different than what is intended! That change will definetely make the "trumping" of the "all other classes" restrictions in 17.4.1. clear to all.